Everything you need to run a tournament
From the first pairing to the final standings, ChessHost runs the whole event so you can focus on the chess.
Automatic Pairings
Swiss, Round Robin, and Knockout pairings are generated for you every round. In Swiss nobody is knocked out, so everyone keeps playing.
Fast Results Entry
Tap in each result as games finish. The next round's pairings appear instantly, with byes handled for odd player counts.
Live Standings
Rankings and tiebreaks update automatically after every round, so the leaderboard is always accurate and ready to share.
TV Display
Put pairings, standings, and final results on a venue TV or projector with one link, in several clean visual themes.
Tournament software without the learning curve
Most chess tournament software is built for professional arbiters and assumes you already know pairing rules and rating math. ChessHost takes the opposite approach. There is no install, no spreadsheet, and no arbiter knowledge required. You create the tournament, players self-register by scanning a QR code, and the software handles pairings, results, and standings for you.
It runs in any browser on a laptop, tablet, or phone, so you can manage the entire event from the device already in your hand. And because the essentials are free forever with no credit card, you can run a full tournament without ever reaching for a payment form.
Run your next tournament free
Set up your chess tournament in under two minutes. No download, no account needed to start.
Launch ChessHostFrequently asked questions
What is the best free chess tournament software?
ChessHost is free chess tournament software that runs in any browser. It pairs every round automatically (Swiss, Round Robin, or Knockout), records results, shows live standings, and puts the event on a TV. It is free forever, with no credit card and no signup to try.
Is chess tournament software free?
ChessHost is free forever for the tournament essentials, with no credit card required. Events of up to 15 players are completely free. Larger events of 16 or more players use a one-time tournament credit, with no subscription.
Do I need to install chess tournament software?
No. ChessHost runs entirely in your browser, so there is nothing to download or install on any device. You can set up a tournament in under two minutes and players self-register by scanning a QR code.
Which tournament formats does it support?
ChessHost supports Swiss, Round Robin, and Knockout formats, plus a Team Battle mode. Pairings, byes, tiebreaks, and standings are all calculated automatically for whichever format you choose.